CeCe McDonald’s Story Airs on “Democracy Now”

SAN FRANCISCO, Ca. — Amy Goodman at Democracy Now, interviews Katie Burgess of the Trans Youth Support Network and Raven Cross, a friend of CeCe McDonald, in a segment on McDonald that airs today on Goodman’s nationally syndicated radio show.

McDonald is scheduled to go on trial Monday, April 30 at 9 a.m., on charges of second-degree murder after an altercation where she was physically attacked and called racist, homophobic, and transphobic slurs outside a Minneapolis bar last year.

McDonald received 11 stitches to her cheek, and was reportedly interrogated without counsel and placed in solitary confinement following her arrest. There were reports that the dead victim, Dean Schmitz, had a swastika tattooed on his chest. McDonald’s supporters say the case is symptomatic of the bias against transgender people and African Americans in the criminal justice system.

“People were very enraged about what happened to her, and refusal of Hennepin County to recognize her right to self-defense,” said Burgess on the show, noting that Transgender people of color are twice as likely to experience discrimination as their white peers.

About the Author

Wild Gender is an online magazine and creative hub born out of gratitude for the gift of full expression. We are dedicated to creative practices that celebrate gender fluidity, identity and expression. Wild Gender prioritizes visual art, creative writing, and journalistic work by trans/gender-variant individuals who have never before been published in a public venue. Run entirely by volunteers,we are always in search of writers, thinkers, and creators hoping to participate in our growing community.

From the Binary’s Outskirts:

We lovingly curate art news and critique that pertains to gender fluidity, identity and expression. At WG, we focus on proliferating trans and gender-variant art and art-making. Thank you to all who donate to keep WG active and ad free! Funds raised go directly to pay for the cost of maintaining this site, any remaining money goes to fund trans artists and their projects. Please click the PayPal button (above) to donate. And please Contact Us for more information.